Adjustable-prescription orthodontic bracket assemblies

ABSTRACT

Adjustable-prescription orthodontic bracket assemblies are disclosed herein. The orthodontic bracket assemblies include a bracket body, an arcuate core, and a retention structure. The bracket body defines an arcuate receptacle that extends toward a base of the bracket body from a top of the bracket body. The arcuate core is received within the arcuate receptacle and defines an archwire slot. The arcuate receptacle is shaped to retain the arcuate core therein and to permit rotation of the arcuate core therein. The retention structure is configured to selectively retain the arcuate core at a selected rotational orientation with the bracket body. The retention structure is configured to selectively transition between a disengaged configuration, in which the retention structure permits rotation of the arcuate core relative to the bracket body, and an engaged configuration, in which the retention structure retains the arcuate core at the selected rotational orientation.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/913,122, which was filed onDec. 6, 2013, and the complete disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed generally to the orthodontic field,and more particularly to adjustable-prescription orthodontic bracketassemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Orthodontic brackets typically are small, slotted devices for use duringorthodontic treatment. The brackets usually are configured forattachment to front surfaces of teeth, either by directly cementing abracket to a tooth surface or by bonding the bracket to a metal bandthat encircles the tooth, though in some instances brackets may beattached to back surfaces of teeth. Slots in the brackets, which may bereferred to herein as archwire slots and/or as archwire passages, aredisposed horizontally, or generally horizontally, and are configured toreceive an archwire. Traditionally, an archwire is a resilient, curvedpiece of wire that may be bent and/or twisted prior to installation inthe bracket slots, with an archwire typically extending through theslots of all of the orthodontic brackets that are attached to apatient's upper or lower teeth. Engagement between the archwire and thebrackets creates corrective, or prescriptive, forces that are directedto the teeth by the orthodontic brackets to urge the teeth into acorrect, or desired, alignment, or occlusion.

The archwire may be secured in the archwire slot of an orthodonticbracket by a variety of mechanisms, such as depending on the bracketconfiguration. For example, a “ligating” bracket typically requires aseparate fastener, such as a ligature wire or elastic band, which istied or otherwise positioned around ligating structures, such as tiewings, on the bracket body to secure the archwire in place within thearchwire slot of a bracket. A “self-ligating” bracket, on the otherhand, typically includes a clamp, gate, or other self-locking mechanism,such as a closeable bracket slot, that allows such a bracket to retainthe archwire in the archwire slot without requiring the use of ligaturesor other separate fasteners. Ligatures and/or supplemental fasteners orbiasing structures also may be used with self-ligating brackets, butthey are not required to retain the archwire in the archwire slot.

Regardless of whether the bracket is a self-ligating bracket or whetherthe bracket requires separate fasteners or ligatures to secure anarchwire in the bracket's archwire slot, orthodontic treatment of apatient's teeth typically requires periodic adjustment of the forcesthat are imparted to the patient's teeth by the installed orthodonticbrackets, archwire(s), etc. Adjustments include changing the magnitudeand/or direction of the forces that are imparted to the patient's teeth,such as to adjust the degree to which torque, tip, and/or rotationalforces are imparted to the patient's teeth to change the angulation,inclination, rotation, height and/or location of the teeth in order tomove the teeth toward an optimal occlusion.

As used herein, tipping forces refer to forces applied to the tooth inthe mesial-distal direction. Thus, tipping forces may impact angulation.Torsional forces refer to forces applied to the tooth by an archwirethat is in torsion within the archwire passage. Thus, torsional forcestend to rotate the tooth in the buccal-lingual or labial-lingualdirection and may impact inclination. Rotational forces refer to appliedforces that tend to rotate the tooth about its long axis.

Adjustments of some of these forces, including torsional (i.e., torque)forces, typically requires removal of the archwire from thecorresponding brackets, along with replacement of the archwire and, insome cases, removal and replacement of one or more brackets. Even with abracket that permits the applied forces to be adjusted without removalof the bracket from a patient's tooth, fine adjustment of these forcesstill may be challenging. Thus, there exists a need for improvedadjustable-prescription orthodontic brackets.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Adjustable-prescription orthodontic bracket assemblies are disclosedherein. The orthodontic bracket assemblies include a bracket body, anarcuate core, and a retention structure.

The bracket body defines an arcuate receptacle. The bracket bodyincludes a base, which is configured to be proximal a tooth, and anopposed top, which is configured to be distal the tooth. The arcuatereceptacle extends into the bracket body from the top and/or toward thebase from the top.

The arcuate core is received within the arcuate receptacle and definesan archwire slot. The archwire slot is sized to receive an archwireduring orthodontic use of the bracket assembly. The arcuate receptacleis shaped to retain the arcuate core therein. In addition, the arcuatereceptacle also is shaped to permit rotation of the arcuate coretherein.

The retention structure is configured to selectively retain the arcuatecore at a selected rotational orientation with the bracket body, therebydefining, or establishing, a prescription for the bracket, and thus theprescriptive forces that will be imparted to a patient's tooth duringorthodontic use of the bracket assembly. The retention structure isconfigured to selectively transition between a disengaged configuration,in which the retention structure permits rotation of the arcuate corerelative to the bracket body, and an engaged configuration, in which theretention structure retains the arcuate core at the selected rotationalorientation.

In some embodiments, the retention structure includes a slidingretention structure. The sliding retention structure is configured to beselectively translated between the engaged configuration and thedisengaged configuration. The sliding retention structure extends atleast partially between the bracket body and the arcuate core at leastwhen the sliding retention structure is in the engaged configuration.

In some embodiments, the retention structure includes a rotating camretention structure. The rotating cam retention structure is configuredto be selectively rotated between the engaged configuration and thedisengaged configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of examples of anorthodontic bracket assembly, according to the present disclosure, thatincludes a bracket body, an arcuate core, and a retention structure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the orthodonticbracket assembly of FIG. 1 with the arcuate core rotated clockwise aboutthe A-axis.

FIG. 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the orthodonticbracket assembly of FIG. 1 with the arcuate core rotated clockwise aboutthe B-axis.

FIG. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the orthodonticbracket assembly of FIG. 1 with the arcuate core rotatedcounterclockwise about the C-axis.

FIG. 5 is a less schematic view of another example of an orthodonticbracket assembly, according to the present disclosure, that includes abracket body, an arcuate core, and a sliding retention structure.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the orthodonticbracket assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a portion of theorthodontic bracket assembly of FIG. 5 illustrating the slidingretention structure in an engaged configuration.

FIG. 8 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a portion of theorthodontic bracket assembly of FIG. 5 illustrating the slidingretention structure in a disengaged configuration.

FIG. 9 is a less schematic view of another example of an orthodonticbracket assembly, according to the present disclosure, that includes abracket body, an arcuate core, and a sliding retention structure.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the orthodontic bracketassembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side view of a portion of the orthodonticbracket assembly of FIG. 9 illustrating the sliding retention structurein an engaged configuration.

FIG. 12 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a portion of theorthodontic bracket assembly of FIG. 9 illustrating the slidingretention structure in a disengaged configuration.

FIG. 13 is a side partial cross-sectional view illustrating analternative structure for the arcuate core of the orthodontic bracketassembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a less schematic view of another example of an orthodonticbracket assembly, according to the present disclosure, that includes abracket body, an arcuate core, and a rotating cam retention structure.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the orthodontic bracketassembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a top-down cross-sectional view of the orthodontic bracketassembly of FIG. 14 illustrating the rotating cam retention structure inan engaged configuration.

FIG. 17 is a top-down cross-sectional view of the orthodontic bracketassembly of FIG. 14 illustrating the rotating cam retention structure ina disengaged configuration.

FIG. 18 is a less schematic view of another example of an orthodonticbracket assembly, according to the present disclosure, that includes abracket body, an arcuate core, and a rotating cam retention structure.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the orthodontic bracketassembly of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary side view of a portion of the orthodonticbracket assembly of FIG. 18 illustrating the rotating cam retentionstructure in an engaged configuration.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary side view of a portion of the orthodonticbracket assembly of FIG. 18 illustrating the rotating cam retentionstructure in a disengaged configuration.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary less schematic view of another example of anorthodontic bracket assembly, according to the present disclosure, thatincludes a bracket body, an arcuate core, and a rotating cam retentionstructure.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the orthodontic bracketassembly of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view of a portion of theorthodontic bracket assembly of FIG. 22 illustrating the rotating camretention structure in an engaged configuration.

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view of a portion of theorthodontic bracket assembly of FIG. 22 illustrating the rotating camretention structure in a disengaged configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIGS. 1-25 provide examples of orthodontic bracket assemblies 100according to the present disclosure, components of orthodontic bracketassemblies 100, and/or features of orthodontic bracket assemblies 100.Elements that serve a similar, or at least substantially similar,purpose are labeled with like numbers in each of FIGS. 1-25, and theseelements may not be discussed in detail herein with reference to each ofFIGS. 1-25. Similarly, all elements may not be labeled in each of FIGS.1-25, but reference numerals associated therewith may be utilized hereinfor consistency. Elements, components, and/or features that arediscussed herein with reference to one or more of FIGS. 1-25 may beincluded in and/or utilized with any of FIGS. 1-25 without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure.

In general, elements that are likely to be included in a given (i.e., aparticular) embodiment are illustrated in solid lines, while elementsthat are optional to a given embodiment are illustrated in dashed lines.However, elements that are shown in solid lines are not essential to allembodiments, and an element shown in solid lines may be omitted from aparticular embodiment without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of examples of an orthodonticbracket assembly 100 according to the present disclosure. Orthodonticbracket assembly 100 also may be referred to herein as a bracketassembly 100 and/or as an assembly 100. Assembly 100 includes a bracketbody 110 that defines an arcuate receptacle 116. As illustrated indashed lines in FIG. 1, assembly 100 may be operatively affixed to atooth 90, such as via a base 112 of bracket body 110. Base 112 also maybe referred to as a bracket base 112. Base 112 may be operativelyaffixed or otherwise coupled to tooth 90. Base 112 also may beoperatively affixed to, coupled to, and/or form a portion of bracketbody 110. In some embodiments, base 112 may project beyond the perimeterof the bracket body, in some embodiments, the bracket base is secured tothe bracket body during assembly of the bracket assembly, and in someembodiments, the bracket base may be the portion of the bracket bodythat is closest to the tooth to which the bracket assembly is securedduring orthodontic use of the bracket assembly. As used herein, thephrase “orthodontic use” refers to use of a bracket assembly that issecured to a patient's tooth and which contains an archwire operativelysecured within the bracket assembly's archwire slot to apply forces tothe patient's tooth to alter the relative orientation of the patient'stooth in the patient's mouth.

Assembly 100 also includes an arcuate core 130 that is received withinthe arcuate receptacle and that defines an archwire slot 132 that issized to receive an archwire 95 during orthodontic use of the bracketassembly. Assembly 100 further includes a retention structure 170.Arcuate receptacle 116 is shaped to retain arcuate core 130 therein andto permit rotation of the arcuate core about one or more rotationalaxes. These rotational axes may include and/or be the A-axis, theB-axis, and/or the C-axis of FIG. 1. Retention structure 170 isconfigured to selectively retain arcuate core 130 at a selectedrotational orientation within bracket body 110. As an example, and asdiscussed in more detail herein, retention structure 170 may beconfigured to be selectively transitioned between an engagedconfiguration 172 and a disengaged configuration 174. In the engagedconfiguration, retention structure 170 retains arcuate core 130 at theselected rotational orientation in any suitable manner. As examples,retention structure 170 may frictionally and/or mechanically retainarcuate core 130 at the selected rotational orientation. In thedisengaged configuration, retention structure 170 permits rotation ofarcuate core 130 within arcuate receptacle 116 and/or relative tobracket body 110.

Bracket body 110 may include any suitable structure that may definearcuate receptacle 116, may receive arcuate core 130, and/or may beoperatively affixed to tooth 90. As discussed, base 112 of bracket body110 may be proximal to and/or (configured to be) operatively affixed totooth 90. Bracket body 110 also may include and/or define a top 122. Top122 may be described as being opposed to base 112, distal base 112,and/or facing away from the patient's tooth 90 to which the bracket bodyis coupled during orthodontic use of the bracket assembly. Arcuatereceptacle 116 may extend from top 122 and/or toward base 112.

Bracket body 110 may be formed and/or defined in any suitable mannerand/or may have any suitable configuration. As an example, bracket body110 may include and/or be a monolithic structure that includes, forms,and/or defines arcuate receptacle 116, base 112 and/or top 122. Asanother example, bracket body 110 may include a plurality of bracketsections 124 that may be operatively attached and/or affixed to oneanother and/or that collectively may include, form, and/or definearcuate receptacle 116, base 112, and/or top 122. As a more specificexample, bracket body 110 may include at least a first bracket section124 and a second bracket section 124. The bracket sections 124, such asthe first bracket section and the second bracket section, may beoperatively affixed to one another and together may define base 112.Alternatively the bracket sections 124 may be operatively affixed to abase section 126 that defines the base. Bracket sections 124 and/or basesection 126 may be operatively affixed to one another in any suitablemanner. As examples, bracket sections 124 and/or base section 126 may beadhered, melted, alloyed, welded, and/or brazed to one another.

Bracket body 110 may be formed from any suitable material and/ormaterials. As examples, bracket body 110 may be formed from one or moreof a metallic material, a stainless steel, a composite material, and/ora polymeric material.

Assembly 100, bracket body 110, and/or base 112 may be operativelyaffixed to tooth 90 in any suitable manner. As an example, base 112 maybe glued to tooth 90 and/or to a band that encircles tooth 90.

As discussed, retention structure 170 may be configured to frictionallyretain arcuate core 130 at the selected rotational orientation relativeto bracket body 110 and/or within arcuate receptacle 116. With this inmind, and as illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1, bracket body 110and/or arcuate core 130 may include one or more friction-enhancingregions 128. Friction-enhancing regions 128 may be configured toincrease a frictional force between bracket body 110 and arcuate core130 when retention structure 170 is in engaged configuration 172 and/orto assist retention structure 170 in retaining arcuate core 130 at theselected rotational orientation when the retention structure is in theengaged configuration. Examples of friction-enhancing regions 128include any suitable roughened surface (or region), high-frictionsurface (or region), and/or resilient material, surface, or region.

Arcuate receptacle 116 may define any suitable shape and/or may bedefined by any suitable surface of bracket body 110. Generally, arcuatereceptacle 116 may be shaped to receive arcuate core 130. As an example,the shape of arcuate receptacle 116 may complement a shape of arcuatecore 130, the shape of arcuate receptacle 116 may correspond to theshape of arcuate core 130, and/or the shape of arcuate receptacle 116may be at least substantially similar to at least a portion of the shapeof arcuate core 130, such as a portion of arcuate core 130 that contactsbracket body 110. This similar shape between arcuate receptacle 116 andarcuate core 130 may permit arcuate core 130 to be received withinand/or to rotate within the arcuate receptacle.

However, arcuate receptacle 116 need not complement the shape of arcuatecore 130 in all embodiments. Additionally or alternatively, arcuatereceptacle 116 and arcuate core 130 need not both be arcuate. As anexample, arcuate receptacle 116 may include and/or define the arcuateshape, while arcuate core 130 may include and/or define any othersuitable shape that may be received within and rotate within the arcuatereceptacle. Under these conditions, arcuate core 130 also may bereferred to herein as a core 130. As another example, arcuate core 130may include and/or define the arcuate shape, while arcuate receptacle116 may include and/or define any other suitable shape that may receiveand facilitate rotation of the arcuate core. Under these conditions,arcuate receptacle 116 also may be referred to herein as a receptacle116.

Arcuate receptacle 116 additionally or alternatively may be referred toas an internal chamber 116, arcuate core-receiving cavity 116, a bodyarcuate receptacle 116, a bracket arcuate receptacle 116, and/or a bodycompartment 116. Examples of the shape of arcuate receptacle 116 includecylindrical, partial cylindrical, spherical, and/or partial sphericalshapes.

Arcuate core 130 may include any suitable structure that definesarchwire slot 132, that is sized and/or shaped to be received withinarcuate receptacle 116 of bracket body 110, and/or that may rotate aboutat least one rotational axis while received within bracket body 110. Asan example, arcuate core 130 may define a cylindrical shape, an at leastsubstantially cylindrical shape, and/or a partially cylindrical shape.When arcuate core 130 defines the cylindrical shape, the rotational axismay correspond to, be parallel to, or be, a longitudinal axis of thecylindrical shape. Additionally or alternatively, arcuate core 130 maybe configured to rotate only about a single rotational axis, and thissingle rotational axis may correspond to, be parallel to, or be thelongitudinal axis of the cylindrical shape.

As another example, arcuate core 130 may define a spherical shape, an atleast substantially spherical shape, and/or a partially spherical shape.When arcuate core 130 defines the spherical shape, arcuate core 130 maybe configured to rotate about a single rotational axis or a plurality ofdistinct rotational axes while received within arcuate receptacle 116.As an example, arcuate core 130 may be configured for unconstrained, orat least substantially unconstrained, rotation within arcuate receptacle116, as discussed in more detail herein.

As an example, arcuate core 130 may be configured to rotate about afirst rotational axis, such as the A-axis of FIG. 1. This is illustratedin FIG. 2, where arcuate core 130 has been rotated in a clockwisedirection about the A-axis (relative to the configuration that isillustrated in FIG. 1). Additionally or alternatively, arcuate core 130also may be configured to rotate about a second rotational axis, such asthe B-axis of FIG. 1. This is illustrated in FIG. 3, where arcuate core130 has been rotated in a clockwise direction about the B-axis (relativeto the configuration that is illustrated in FIG. 1). Additionally oralternatively, arcuate core 130 may be configured to rotate about athird rotational axis, such the C-axis of FIG. 1. This is illustrated inFIG. 4, wherein arcuate core 130 has been rotated in a counterclockwisedirection about the C-axis (relative to the configuration that isillustrated in FIG. 1).

Rotational axes A, B, and/or C may define any suitable direction whenassembly 100 is operatively affixed to tooth 90. As an example,rotational axis A may extend (at least substantially) in a mesial-distaldirection. Under these conditions, rotation of arcuate core 130 aboutrotational axis A may be utilized to change, adjust, and/or vary torqueforces that may be applied to tooth 90 by archwire 95. As anotherexample, rotational axis B may extend (at least substantially) in agingival-occlusal direction. Under these conditions, rotation of arcuatecore 130 about rotational axis B may be utilized to change, adjust,and/or vary rotational forces that may be applied to tooth 90 byarchwire 95. As yet another example, rotational axis C may extend (atleast substantially) in a buccal-lingual and/or in a labial-lingualdirection. Under these conditions, rotation of arcuate core 130 aboutrotational axis C may be utilized to change, adjust, and/or vary tippingforces that may be applied to tooth 90 by archwire 95. However,rotational axes A, B, and/or C are not required to be orthogonal to oneanother and/or are not required to align, or align exactly, with theabove-described directions. In addition, assembly 100 may be configuredto permit arcuate core 130 to be rotated about two, or even three,different rotational axes and/or may permit (substantially)unconstrained rotation of arcuate core 130 within arcuate receptacle 116over at least a threshold range of rotation when retention structure 170is in disengaged configuration 174.

Arcuate core 130 may be formed from any suitable material and/or mayinclude any suitable material, or materials, of construction. Asexamples, arcuate core 130 may include and/or be formed from one or moreof a metallic material, a stainless steel, a composite material, and/ora polymeric material.

Arcuate core 130 may be permanently (but adjustably) secured withinarcuate receptacle 116 of bracket body 110. It also is within the scopeof the present disclosure that arcuate core 130 and/or bracket body 110may be configured to permit selective removal of the arcuate core fromthe bracket body and/or replacement of the arcuate core within thebracket body. For example, an arcuate core 130 with a particularconstruction, archwire slot geometry, and/or archwire slot orientationmay be received and replaced with a different arcuate core (i.e., anarcuate core with a different construction, archwire slot geometry,and/or archwire slot orientation) to vary the prescriptive forces thatthe bracket assembly may impart to a tooth during use of assembly 100.

This may include disassembly of at least a portion of orthodonticbracket assembly 100 to permit removal of the arcuate core from thearcuate receptacle. This disassembly may be accomplished in any suitablemanner. As an example, this disassembly may include separation of one ormore bracket sections 124 from the bracket body. As another example,this disassembly may include separation of base 112 from the bracketbody. As yet another example, this disassembly may include separation ofarcuate core 130 into one or more core sections 136. As another example,this disassembly may include removal and/or actuation of a stop, catch,latch, and/or pin that may be associated with orthodontic bracketassembly 100.

As illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1, arcuate core 130 further mayinclude and/or define an arcuate core recess 134. Arcuate core recess134 may be configured, shaped, sized, and/or located to receive anarcuate core adjustment tool. The arcuate core adjustment tool may beconfigured to be inserted into and/or otherwise coupled to arcuate corerecess 134 to enable user inputs, i.e., forces, to be conveyed to thearcuate core via the tool to rotate arcuate core 130, to rotate arcuatecore 130 relative to bracket body 110, and/or to rotate arcuate core 130to the selected rotational orientation. Arcuate core recess 134additionally or alternatively may be referred to as a tool receiver 134,an arcuate core receiver 134, and/or a socket 134.

Retention structure 170 may include and/or be any suitable structurethat may be utilized to selectively retain arcuate core 130 at, or in,the selected rotational orientation within bracket body 110. As anexample, retention structure 170 may include and/or be a slidingretention structure 200. As another example, retention structure 170additionally or alternatively may include and/or be a rotating camretention structure 260. Examples of sliding retention structures 200that may be included in assembly 100 of FIGS. 1-4 are illustrated inFIGS. 5-13 and discussed in more detail herein with reference thereto.Examples of rotating cam retention structures 260 that may be includedin and/or utilized with assembly 100 of FIGS. 1-4 are illustrated inFIGS. 14-25 and discussed in more detail herein with reference thereto.

Sliding retention structures 200, when present, may be configured to beselectively translated between engaged configuration 172 and disengagedconfiguration 174. This selective translation may be along a linear, orat least substantially linear, translation path and/or along an arcuateand/or curved translation path. Regardless of the exact shape of thetranslation path, sliding retention structures 200 may be configuredsuch that a center-of-mass of at least a portion of the slidingretention structure translates upon transitioning between engagedconfiguration 172 and disengaged configuration 174.

The translation of sliding retention structure 200 may be constrainedwithin (or the sliding retention structure may translate within) asliding retention structure receptacle 202. The sliding retentionstructure receptacle may be defined by assembly 100, such as by bracketbody 110, base 112, and/or arcuate core 130.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, sliding retention structure 200 may extend atleast partially between bracket body 110 (or a portion of the bracketbody, such as base 112) and arcuate core 130 at least when the slidingretention structure is in engaged configuration 172. However, thesliding retention structure also may extend between bracket body 110 andarcuate core 130 when the sliding retention structure is in disengagedconfiguration 174.

Sliding retention structure 200 may be spaced apart from archwire slot132 and/or may not be utilized to define a portion of archwire slot 132and/or to retain archwire 95, when present, within archwire slot 132. Asan example, arcuate core 130 may extend between sliding retentionstructure 200 and archwire slot 132.

Sliding retention structure 200 may be shaped and/or configured tooperatively engage and/or press against arcuate core 130, such as withina contact area 204 therebetween, when sliding retention structure 200 isin engaged configuration 172. As an example, sliding retention structure200 may be compressed between arcuate core 130 and bracket body 110 whenthe sliding retention structure is in the engaged configuration. Asanother example, sliding retention structure 200 may produce aninterference fit between the sliding retention structure and the arcuatecore and/or between the sliding retention structure and the bracketbody.

The operative engagement between sliding retention structure 200 andarcuate core 130 may cause arcuate core 130 to operatively engage, pressagainst, be urged against, interlock with, and/or generate aninterference fit with bracket body 110, such as at an interface region138 therebetween. This may produce a frictional force within interfaceregion 138 that may retain arcuate core 130 at the selected rotationalorientation within bracket body 110.

Sliding retention structure 200 may include a contact region 206.Contact region 206 may be located to define at least a portion, or evenall, of contact area 204 between sliding retention structure 200 andarcuate core 130. Additionally or alternatively, contact region 206 maybe shaped and/or configured to receive a portion of arcuate core 130when sliding retention structure 200 is in the engaged configuration.Contact region 206 may include any suitable structure that may beconfigured to increase contact area 204 and/or to increase thefrictional force between sliding retention structure 200 and arcuatecore 130 within contact area 204.

As an example, contact region 206 may include and/or be a concavesurface profile. As such, contact region 206 may be referred to as arecess, a depression, a receiver, and/or a cavity within the slidingretention structure. The concave surface profile may be shaped toreceive arcuate core 130 and/or may have a radius that corresponds toand/or is equal to a radius of a portion of arcuate core 130 thatcontacts, or is received within, contact region 206.

As another example, contact region 206 may include and/or be a hole, anaperture, and/or a slot within sliding retention structure 200. The holemay be shaped such that sliding retention structure 200 and arcuate core130 form a line contact therebetween when the sliding retentionstructure is in the engaged configuration and the arcuate core isreceived within the hole. For example, a radius of the hole may be lessthan the radius of the portion of arcuate core 130 that is receivedwithin the hole. Examples of the line contact include a circular, an atleast substantially circular, an arcuate, and/or an at leastsubstantially arcuate line contact that extends about at least aportion, or even all, of a perimeter of the hole.

Contact region 206 may include a friction-enhancing region 208.Friction-enhancing region 208 may be configured to increase thefrictional force between the arcuate core and the sliding retentionstructure. Examples of the friction-enhancing region include a roughenedregion, a resilient material, a resilient gasket, and/or a resilientO-ring.

Sliding retention structure 200 also may include a catch 210. Catch 210may be adapted, configured, designed, sized, and/or shaped to retainsliding retention structure 200 within sliding retention structurereceptacle 202 when the sliding retention structure is in disengagedconfiguration 174, when the sliding retention structure is in engagedconfiguration 172, and/or regardless of the configuration of the slidingretention structure within the sliding retention structure receptacle.

An example of sliding retention structure 200 is a sliding spring 220,examples of which are illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 5-8 anddiscussed in more detail herein with reference thereto. When slidingretention structure 200 includes sliding spring 220, sliding retentionstructure receptacle 202 also may be referred to herein as a slidingspring receptacle 202. Sliding spring 220 may be configured tooperatively engage arcuate core 130 and/or to operatively engage arcuatecore 130 with bracket body 110 (such as by urging the arcuate core intocontact with the bracket body) to retain arcuate core 130 at theselected rotational orientation, as discussed in more detail herein.

Sliding spring 220 may include and/or be any suitable resilient,deformable, and/or compressible structure that may be selectivelytransitioned between engaged configuration 172 and disengagedconfiguration 174. As an example, sliding spring 220 may include and/orbe a sliding clip, a sliding torsion spring, and/or a sliding flatspring. Sliding spring 220 may have an arcuate shape and/or may beconfigured to deform upon transitioning between engaged configuration172 and disengaged configuration 174.

Sliding spring 220 may be formed from any suitable material. As anexample, sliding spring 220 may be a metallic sliding spring 220 that isformed from a metallic material, such as a nickel-titanium alloy. Asadditional examples, sliding spring 220 also may be formed from anysuitable resilient material, deformable material, compressible material,and/or polymeric material.

Another example of sliding retention structure 200 is a sliding wedge240, examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 9-13 and discussed inmore detail herein with reference thereto. When sliding retentionstructure 200 includes sliding wedge 240, sliding retention structurereceptacle 202 also may be referred to herein as a sliding wedgereceptacle 202. Sliding wedge 240 may be configured to operativelyengage arcuate core 130 and/or to operatively engage arcuate core 130with bracket body 110 (such as by urging the arcuate core into contactwith the bracket body) to retain arcuate core 130 at the selectedrotational orientation, as discussed in more detail herein.

Rotating cam retention structures 260, when present, may be configuredto be selectively rotated between engaged configuration 172 anddisengaged configuration 174. This selective rotation may be about anaxis of rotation, which may include, be, and/or be (substantially)parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotating cam retention structure.Examples of rotating cam retention structures 260 are illustrated inFIGS. 14-25 and are discussed in more detail herein with referencethereto.

As indicated with a dash-dot-dot line in FIG. 1 and discussed in moredetail herein, retention structure 170 may include and/or define aprojecting portion 178. Projecting portion 178 may be shaped to bereceived within a retention structure receptacle, such as slidingretention structure receptacle 202. As illustrated in dash-dot-dot linesin FIG. 1 and discussed in more detail herein, retention structure 170also may include and/or define a tool-receiving portion 180.Tool-receiving portion 180 may be shaped to receive a tool.

As an example, the tool may be configured to be received withintool-receiving portion 180 to transition retention structure 170 betweenengaged configuration 172 and disengaged configuration 174. This may beaccomplished in any suitable manner. As an example, the tool may betranslated to transition the retention structure between the engagedconfiguration and the disengaged configuration. As another example, thetool may be rotated to transition the retention structure between theengaged configuration and the disengaged configuration.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that another portion ofassembly 100, such as bracket body 110, base 112, and/or arcuate core130, also may include and/or define an assembly tool-engaging portion102. The assembly tool-engaging portion may be configured to operativelyengage the tool when the retention structure is transitioned between theengaged configuration and the disengaged configuration. In such aconfiguration, the assembly tool-engaging portion may provide additionalleverage, a lever point, a pivot point, and/or a fulcrum for actuationof the tool within tool-receiving portion 180 of retention structure170, thereby changing a direction and/or decreasing a magnitude of forceneeded to transition the retention structure between the engagedconfiguration and the disengaged configuration.

Tool-receiving portion 180 may define any suitable shape (orcross-sectional shape). As examples, the tool-receiving portion maydefine a circular shape, an oblong shape, an oval shape, a rectilinearshape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, and/or a trapezoidal shape.When the tool is configured to be rotated to transition retentionstructure 170, tool-receiving portion 180 may be shaped and/or sized topermit the rotation and/or may provide clearance for the rotation and/orfor contact between the tool and assembly tool-engaging portion 102.

As illustrated in dash-dot-dot lines in FIG. 1 and discussed in moredetail herein, retention structure 170 may include an indicator 176.Indicator 176 may include and/or be a visual indicator that may indicatewhen retention structure 170 is in the engaged configuration and/or inthe disengaged configuration. As an example, indicator 176 may beconfigured to project from bracket body 110 when retention structure 170is in disengaged configuration 174. This may visually indicate to awearer of assembly 100 and/or to an orthodontist that is utilizingassembly 100 that retention structure 170 is in the disengagedconfiguration. As another example, bracket body 110 may include and/ordefine an indicator recess 182, and indicator 176 may be located withinindicator recess 182 when the retention structure is in engagedconfiguration 172. This may visually indicate to the wearer and/or tothe orthodontist that the retention structure is in the engagedconfiguration.

Regardless of an exact conformation, shape, and/or construction ofretention structure 170, retention structures 170 according to thepresent disclosure may be adapted, configured, designed, and/orconstructed to selectively retain arcuate core 130 at the selectedrotational orientation within bracket body 110 despite variation in themanufacturing tolerances of bracket body 110, arcuate core 130, and/orretention structure 170. As an example, retention structure 170 may beconfigured to “take up” and/or otherwise account for the variation inthe manufacturing tolerances. As a more specific example, slidingretention structure 200, including sliding spring 220 and/or wedge 240,and/or rotating cam retention structure 260 may be sized and/or shapedto selectively retain arcuate core 130 at the selected rotationorientation within bracket body 110 over a range of clearancestherebetween.

As illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1, assembly 100 also may includea rotation-directing structure 150. Rotation-directing structure 150 maybe configured to permit rotation of arcuate core 130 about a rotationalaxis (such as the A-axis, the B-axis, and/or the C-axis) and/or to limitrotation of arcuate core 130 about another rotational axis that may bedifferent from a/the rotational axis about which rotation is permitted.The rotational axis may extend in one of a gingival-occlusal direction,in a mesial-distal direction, in a buccal-lingual direction, and/or in alabial-lingual direction, and the rotation-directing structure mayrestrict rotation about one or more other of these axial directions.

Rotation-directing structure 150 may include any suitable structure thatmay permit rotation of arcuate core 130 relative to bracket body 110about the rotational axis (or about a selected rotational axis).Additionally or alternatively, rotation-directing structure 150 also mayinclude any suitable structure that may resist, limit, restrict, and/orblock rotation of arcuate core 130 relative to bracket body 110 aboutthe other rotational axes.

As an example, rotation-directing structure 150 may include a groove 152and a post 154 that is configured to translate within the groove. Whenrotation-directing structure 150 includes groove 152 and post 154,groove 152 and/or post 154 may be defined by and/or operatively attachedto any suitable structure. As an example, one of groove 152 and post 154may be defined by arcuate core 130, and the other of groove 152 and post154 may be defined by bracket body 110 and/or by base 112. As anotherexample, and as also discussed herein, arcuate core 130 may be definedby a plurality of arcuate core sections 136. Under these conditions,groove 152 may be defined by a first arcuate core section 136, and post154 may be defined by a second arcuate core section 136. Groove 152additionally or alternatively may be referred to as a channel 152, track152, and/or guide 152. Post 154 additionally or alternatively may bereferred to as a projection 154, rib 154, finger 154, and/or pin 154.

As another example, rotation-directing structure 150 may include a hole156 and a stem 158 that is configured to rotate within the hole. Whenrotation-directing structure 150 includes hole 156 and stem 158, hole156 and/or stem 158 may be defined by and/or operatively attached to anysuitable structure. As an example, one of hole 156 and stem 158 may bedefined by arcuate core 130, and the other of hole 156 and stem 158 maybe defined by bracket body 110 and/or by base 112, when present. Asanother example, and when arcuate core 130 is defined by the pluralityof arcuate core sections 136, hole 156 may be defined by the firstarcuate core section 136 and stem 158 may be defined by the secondarcuate core section 136.

As yet another example, rotation-directing structure 150 may include arib 160. Rib 160 may project from one of arcuate core 130 and bracketbody 110 and may be configured to press against a guiding surface 162 todirect, control, and/or regulate rotation of arcuate core 130 withinbracket body 110.

As illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1, bracket assembly 100 furthermay include a ligating structure 190, which may be configured toselectively retain archwire 95, when present, within archwire slot 132.Ligating structure 190 may be operatively affixed and/or attached toarcuate core 130, as illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1. Asillustrated, the ligating structure obstructs the opening of archwireslot 132 and thereby restricts insertion or removal of the archwirethrough the opening when the ligating structure is in such an operativeposition. Additionally or alternatively, ligating structure 190 also maybe operatively affixed and/or attached to bracket body 110, asillustrated in dash-dot lines.

Ligating structure 190 may include and/or be any suitable structure thatmay be configured to retain archwire 95 within archwire slot 132. As anexample, orthodontic bracket assembly 100 may include and/or be aself-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly 100. Under these conditions,ligating structure 190 may be a closure 194 and/or a gate 194 that formsa portion of orthodontic bracket assembly 100. Gate 194 may beconfigured to transition between an open configuration 193 (asillustrated in FIG. 9), in which archwire 95 is not retained withinarchwire slot 132, and a closed configuration 191, in which archwire 95is retained within the archwire slot. This may include transitioningand/or translating within a ligating structure receptacle 192 that maybe defined by assembly 100 and/or by bracket body 110 and/or arcuatecore 130 thereof. Expressed in slightly different terms, archwire slot132 defines a longitudinal axis that is bounded on three sides byarcuate core 130, with gate 194 selectively bounding the archwire sloton a fourth side to form a closed perimeter in a direction transverse tothe longitudinal axis when the gate is in the closed configuration. Whenthe gate is in the open configuration, the archwire may be removed fromthe archwire slot, such as by moving the archwire out of the slot in adirection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Additionally or alternatively, orthodontic bracket assembly 100 may notbe a self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly 100. Under theseconditions, ligating structure 190 may include and/or be a ligature 196that may be operatively affixed to orthodontic bracket assembly 100,such as via one or more ligature-receiving structures 198, to secure thearchwire within the archwire slot. Examples of ligature 196 include anysuitable wire, band, and/or rubber (elastomeric) band. Examples ofligature-receiving structures 198 include, but are not limited to, tiewings, hooks, grooves, recesses, and/or projections. Ligatures 196and/or ligature-receiving structures 198 also may be utilized withself-ligating bracket assemblies, including those disclosed,illustrated, and/or incorporated herein.

Regardless of the exact configuration, ligating structure 190 mayinclude and/or be an active ligating structure or a passive ligatingstructure. When ligating structure 190 is a passive ligating structure,the ligating structure may not actively press against archwire 95, whenpresent. When ligating structure 190 is an active ligating structure,the ligating structure further may include a biasing mechanism 199 thatis configured to provide a compressive force to archwire 95, whenpresent.

When assembly 100 is self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly 100,ligating structure 190 further may define a ligating structuretool-receiving portion 195 that may be shaped to receive a tool.Ligating structure tool-receiving portion 195 may define any suitableshape, examples of which are discussed herein with reference totool-receiving portion 180.

When the tool is received within ligating structure tool-receivingportion 195, the tool may be translated to translate ligating structure190, to translate ligating structure 190 within ligating structurereceptacle 192, and/or to transition ligating structure 190 between theclosed configuration and the open configuration. Additionally oralternatively, the tool also may be rotated to translate ligatingstructure 190, to translate ligating structure 190 within ligatingstructure receptacle 192, and/or to transition ligating structure 190between the closed configuration and the open configuration. When thetool is rotated, assembly 100 further may define tool-engaging portion102, which is discussed in more detail herein.

When orthodontic bracket assembly 100 includes ligating structure 190,retention structure 170 also may include and/or be a ligating structureextension 184. Ligating structure extension 184 may be at leastpartially defined by ligating structure 190 and may be configured tooperatively interlock arcuate core 130 with bracket body 110 and/or withbase 112 (when present), thereby restricting rotation of arcuate core130 and/or retaining arcuate core 130 at the selected rotationalorientation.

As discussed, orthodontic bracket assembly 100 includesrotation-directing structure 150 and retention structure 170. It iswithin the scope of the present disclosure that assembly 100 may includea plurality of rotation-directing structures 150.

As an example, assembly 100 may include a first rotation-directingstructure 150 that is configured to permit rotation of arcuate core 130about a first rotational axis and/or to resist rotation of arcuate core130 about one or more other rotational axes. In addition, assembly 100also may include a second rotation-directing structure 150 that isconfigured to permit rotation of arcuate core 130 about a secondrotational axis and/or to resist rotation of arcuate core 130 about oneor more other rotational axes. The second rotational axis may bedifferent from, or even perpendicular to, the first rotational axis.

As a more specific example, and as discussed in more detail herein,arcuate core 130 may include a plurality of arcuate core sections 136that are secured together to collectively form arcuate core 130. Forexample, the plurality of arcuate core sections 136 may include at leasta first arcuate core section 141 and a second arcuate core section 142.Under these conditions, first rotation-directing structure 150 may beconfigured to permit the first arcuate core section to rotate relativeto bracket body 110 about the first rotational axis, and secondrotation-directing structure 150 may be configured to permit the secondarcuate core section to rotate relative to the first arcuate coresection about the second rotational axis. The second rotation-directingstructure may be at least partially defined by the first arcuate coresection and by the second arcuate core section.

Bracket assembly 100 also may include a corresponding plurality ofretention structures 170. As an example, a first retention structure 170may be configured to selectively retain arcuate core 130 in a firstselected rotational orientation about the first rotational axis, and asecond retention structure 170 may be configured to selectively retainarcuate core 130 in a second selected rotational orientation about thesecond rotational axis.

Additional examples of orthodontic bracket assemblies, bracket bodies,arcuate cores, archwire slots, accessories, constructions, ligatures,gates, methods of use, etc. are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,772,787,4,197,642, 4,248,588, 4,443,189, 4,492,573, 4,698,017, 5,094,614,5,466,151, 5,562,444, 5,586,882, 5,630,715, and 7,819,660, and U.S.Patent Application Publication Nos. 2011/0183280, 2012/0308952, and2014/0272751, the complete disclosures of which are incorporated byreference.

FIGS. 5-25 provide less schematic examples of orthodontic bracketassemblies 100, components of assemblies 100, and/or features ofassemblies 100 according to the present disclosure. The orthodonticbracket assemblies of FIGS. 5-25 may include and/or be more detailedexamples of assemblies 100 of FIGS. 1-4, and any of the structures,functions, and/or features discussed herein with reference to assemblies100 of FIGS. 1-4 may be included in and/or utilized with assemblies 100of FIGS. 5-25 without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. Similarly, any of the structures, functions, and/or featuresdiscussed herein with reference to assemblies 100 of FIGS. 5-25 may beincluded in and/or utilized with assemblies 100 of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 5 is a less schematic view of additional examples of orthodonticbracket assemblies 100, according to the present disclosure, thatinclude a bracket body 110, an arcuate core 130, and a retentionstructure 170 in the form of a sliding retention structure 200. FIG. 6is a view of a portion of the orthodontic bracket assemblies of FIG. 5.FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of the orthodontic bracket assembliesof FIG. 5 illustrating the sliding retention structure in an engagedconfiguration 172, and FIG. 8 is a side view of a portion of theorthodontic bracket assemblies of FIG. 5 illustrating the slidingretention structure in a disengaged configuration 174. Sliding retentionstructure 200 of FIGS. 5-8 includes a sliding spring 220.

Sliding spring 220 may be configured to slide and/or translate totransition between the engaged configuration and the disengagedconfiguration. This is illustrated in FIGS. 7-8. Sliding and/ortranslation of sliding spring 220 between the engaged configuration andthe disengaged configuration may include deformation of one or moredeformation regions 234 of the sliding spring.

In FIG. 7, sliding spring 220 is in engaged configuration 172. When thesliding spring is in the engaged configuration, the sliding springpresses against arcuate core 130 and urges the arcuate core into contactwith bracket body 110 within an interface region 138 therebetween. Inthe engaged configuration, frictional forces between arcuate core 130and bracket body 110 and/or between arcuate core 130 and sliding spring220 retain the arcuate core in a given, or selected, rotationalorientation within bracket body 110.

In FIG. 8, sliding spring 220 is in disengaged configuration 174. Whenthe sliding spring is in the disengaged configuration, the slidingspring does not press against arcuate core 130, does not urge thearcuate core into contact with bracket body 110, does not press againstarcuate core 130 with sufficient force to retain the arcuate core in theselected rotational orientation, and/or does not urge the arcuate coreinto contact with the bracket body with sufficient force to retain thearcuate core in the selected rotational orientation, thereby permittingand/or facilitating adjustment of the angular orientation of the arcuatecore within the bracket body.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7-8, sliding spring 220 includes a relief region222. Relief region 222 may be shaped to provide clearance for rotationof arcuate core 130 when the sliding spring is in disengagedconfiguration 172, as illustrated in FIG. 8. As shown, relief region 222may include and/or be a concave (or other) portion of the sliding springthat may provide clearance for rotation of the arcuate core when thesliding spring is oriented such that the relief region is aligned withthe arcuate core. When relief region 222 is aligned with arcuate core130, sliding spring 220 may not press against the arcuate core and/ormay press against the arcuate core with a force that is low enough inmagnitude to permit and/or facilitate adjustment of the rotationalorientation of the arcuate core. Stated another way, a magnitude of aforce that is applied to arcuate core 130 by sliding spring 220 when thesliding spring is in the disengaged configuration may be less than amagnitude of a force that is applied to the arcuate core by the slidingspring when the sliding spring is in the engaged configuration.

As illustrated most clearly in FIGS. 7-8, bracket body 110 may have,include, and/or define a detent 224. Detent 224 also may be referred toherein as a concave region 224 and/or as a clearance region 224 and maybe sized, located, and/or shaped to receive relief region 222 of slidingspring 220 (or a portion of the sliding spring that defines the reliefregion) when the sliding spring is in disengaged configuration 174. Thisis illustrated in FIG. 8. Relief region 222 and detent 224 together maybe shaped to bias sliding spring 220 toward and/or into disengagedconfiguration 174 when the relief region is received within the detent.As an example, and as illustrated in FIG. 8, sliding spring 220 may bebiased to extend and/or urge relief region 222 into detent 224 when thesliding spring is in the disengaged configuration. Thus, sliding spring220 may be adapted, configured, shaped, and/or biased to remain in thedisengaged configuration unless urged from the disengaged configuration,such as via application of an engaging force 226 thereto.

Application of engaging force 226 to sliding spring 220 may cause thesliding spring to automatically transition to engaged configuration 172of FIG. 7. As an example, application of engaging force 226 may urgerelief region 222 from detent 224. Subsequent to the relief region beingurged from the detent, the sliding spring may automatically transitionto the engaged configuration.

Once in engaged configuration 172, the sliding spring may be shapedand/or biased to remain in the engaged configuration unless urgedtherefrom, such as via application of a disengaging force 228 thereto(as illustrated in FIG. 7). As an example, sliding spring 220 mayinclude a bias region 230 that is shaped to retain the sliding spring inthe engaged configuration unless urged therefrom. In FIGS. 6-7, biasregion 230 corresponds to relief region 222; however, this is notrequired.

As another example, bracket body 110 may include and/or define atransition structure 232, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-8. Transitionstructure 232 may include and/or be an angled and/or sloped region thatmay interact with sliding spring 220. As an example, transitionstructure 232 and bias region 230 together may be shaped to bias slidingspring 220 toward the engaged configuration.

FIGS. 5-8 also provide less schematic examples of structures and/orfeatures of assemblies 100, bracket bodies 110, arcuate cores 130,and/or retention structures 170 according to the present disclosure thatare discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 1-4. As an example, bracketbodies 110 of FIGS. 5-8 may include one or more ligature-receivingstructures 198 that project from the bracket body to provide a mount, oranchor, for a wire, elastic, or other ligature. As another example, andas labelled in FIGS. 5-6, bracket bodies 110 also may include and/ordefine one or more clearance regions 114. Clearance regions 114 may beshaped to permit the archwire to pass therethrough for a variety ofrotational orientations of arcuate core 130. As yet another example,bracket bodies 110 may include a plurality of bracket sections 124 thatare secured together during assembly of the bracket body.

As another example, sliding retention structures 200 of FIGS. 5-8include and/or define a contact region 206, as illustrated in FIG. 6. InFIG. 6, contact region 206 includes a hole within sliding spring 220,and this hole is sized to receive a portion of arcuate core 130, asillustrated in FIG. 7. Additionally or alternatively, and as illustratedin dashed lines in FIG. 7, contact region 206 also may include and/or bea concave region of sliding spring 220 that is sized to receive theportion of arcuate core 130.

FIG. 9 is a less schematic view of another example of orthodonticbracket assemblies 100, according to the present disclosure, thatinclude a bracket body 110, an arcuate core 130, and a retentionstructure 170 in the form of a sliding retention structure 200. FIG. 10is a view of a portion of the orthodontic bracket assemblies of FIG. 9.FIG. 11 is a side view of a portion of the orthodontic bracketassemblies of FIG. 9 illustrating the sliding retention structure in anengaged configuration 172, and FIG. 12 is a side view of a portion ofthe orthodontic bracket assemblies of FIG. 9 illustrating the slidingretention structure in a disengaged configuration 174.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9-13, assembly 100 may be a self-ligatingorthodontic bracket assembly 100 that includes a ligating structure 190.Ligating structure 190 may include a gate 194 that is configured to beselectively transitioned between a closed configuration 191, asillustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13, and an open configuration 193, asillustrated in FIGS. 9-10 and 12.

Sliding retention structure 200 of FIGS. 9-13 includes a sliding wedge240 that is configured to operatively translate within a slidingretention structure receptacle 202. As indicated in FIGS. 9-10 and 12,sliding wedge 240 may include and/or define a tool-receiving portion 180that is configured to receive a tool. The tool may be utilized totransition the sliding wedge between an engaged configuration 172, asillustrated in FIGS. 9-11 and 13, and a disengaged configuration 174, asillustrated in FIG. 12.

As perhaps illustrated most clearly in FIG. 12, assembly 100 includes arotation-directing structure 150. Rotation-directing structure 150includes a groove 152, which is defined by arcuate core 130, and a post154, which is defined by bracket body 110 and is configured to bereceived within groove 152. Groove 152 and post 154 collectively may beutilized to permit rotating of arcuate core 130 about a given rotationalaxis (such as the A-axis in FIG. 12) while restricting rotation ofarcuate core 130 about one or more other axes (such as the B-axis andthe C-axis of FIG. 12).

As perhaps illustrated most clearly in FIG. 10, sliding wedge 240includes a catch 210. Catch 210 may be configured to operatively retainsliding wedge 240 within sliding retention structure receptacle 202while permitting limited translation of the sliding retention structurewithin the sliding retention structure receptacle.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative structure forarcuate core 130 of the orthodontic bracket assemblies 100 of FIG. 9. InFIG. 13, arcuate core 130 includes a plurality of arcuate core sections136, including at least a first arcuate core section 141 and a secondarcuate core section 142. Assembly 100 of FIG. 13 also includes tworotation-directing structures 150, including at least a firstrotation-directing structure 161 and a second rotation-directingstructure 163. Similar to assembly 100 of FIGS. 9-12, firstrotation-directing structure 161 includes a groove 152 and a post 154and is configured to permit rotation of first arcuate core section 141about a first rotational axis (such as the A-axis of FIG. 13) but toresist rotation of the first arcuate core about the B-axis and theC-axis. Second rotation-directing structure 163 includes a hole 156 anda stem 158 and is configured to permit rotation of second arcuate core142 about the C-axis of FIG. 13 but to resist rotation of the secondarcuate core about the A-axis and the B-axis. Thus, firstrotation-directing structure 161 and second rotation-directing structure163 together permit rotation of an archwire slot 132 that is defined byarcuate core 130 about two rotational axes (the A-axis and the C-axis)but restrict rotation of the archwire slot about a third rotational axis(the B-axis).

FIG. 14 is a less schematic view of another example of an orthodonticbracket assembly 100, according to the present disclosure, that includesa bracket body 110, an arcuate core 130, and a retention structure 170in the form of a rotating cam retention structure 260. FIG. 15 is a viewof a portion of the orthodontic bracket assembly of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 isa top-down cross-sectional view of the orthodontic bracket assembly ofFIG. 14 illustrating the rotating cam retention structure in an engagedconfiguration 172, and FIG. 17 is a top-down cross-sectional view of theorthodontic bracket assembly of FIG. 14 illustrating the rotating camretention structure in a disengaged configuration 174. Rotating camretention structure 260 may be oriented at least substantiallyperpendicular to top 122 of bracket body 110 within assembly 100 andincludes an arcuate core-contacting region 262, an actuation region 264,and a retention region 266.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, rotating cam retention structure 260 isshaped to operatively engage arcuate body 130 when the rotating camretention structure is in engaged configuration 172. Conversely, and asillustrated in FIG. 17, rotating cam retention structure 260 is shapedto provide clearance for rotation of arcuate body 130 when the rotatingcam retention structure is in disengaged configuration 174.

Arcuate core-contacting region 262 may be adapted, configured, sized,shaped, and/or located to selectively contact, operatively engage,and/or press against arcuate core 130 when the rotating cam retentionstructure is in engaged configuration 172, as illustrated in FIG. 16. Inaddition, arcuate core-contacting region 262 also may be adapted,configured, sized, shaped, and/or located to be spaced apart fromarcuate core 130, to not contact arcuate core 130, to not operativelyengage arcuate core 130, and/or to not press against arcuate core 130when the rotating cam retention structure is in disengaged configuration174, as illustrated in FIG. 17. Additionally or alternatively, arcuatecore-contact region 262 may contact, operatively engage, and/or pressagainst arcuate core 130 when the rotating cam retention structure is inthe disengaged configuration; however, a contact force therebetween maybe insufficient to retain arcuate core 130 at the selected rotationalorientation within bracket body 110. Examples of arcuate core-contactregion 262 include any suitable surface of rotating cam retentionstructure 260, such as a lobe, a cam, and/or a D-shaped region that maybe defined by the rotating cam retention structure.

Actuation region 264 may be adapted, configured, sized, shaped, and/orlocated to receive an external force and to transition the rotating camretention structure between the engaged configuration and the disengagedconfiguration responsive to receipt of the external force. As anexample, and as illustrated in FIGS. 14-15, actuation region 264 mayinclude tool receptacle 268 that may be adapted, configured sized,and/or shaped to receive an actuation tool. Under these conditions, theactuation tool may be utilized to apply the external force. As anotherexample, actuation region 264 also may include a lever arm that isconfigured to receive the external force.

Retention region 266 may be adapted, configured, sized, shaped, and/orlocated to be received within a retention region receptacle 270 that maybe defined by bracket body 110. Retention region 266 may be operativelyretained within the retention region receptacle such that rotating camretention structure 260 is operatively retained within assembly 100and/or within bracket body 110 thereof. In addition, both retentionregion 266 and retention region receptacle 270 may be sized and/orshaped to permit rotation of rotating cam retention structure 260 whenthe rotating cam retention structure is transitioned, or to permit therotating cam retention structure to be transitioned, between the engagedconfiguration and the disengaged configuration. Examples of retentionregion 266 include a bearing surface, a (substantially) cylindricalbearing surface, and/or a partially cylindrical bearing surface.

FIGS. 14-17 also provide less schematic examples of structures and/orfeatures of assemblies 100, bracket bodies 110, arcuate cores 130,and/or retention structures 170 according to the present disclosure thatare discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 1-4. As an example, FIGS.14-15 illustrate a ligating structure 190 including a gate 194 and aligating structure receptacle 192 that is configured to receive thegate. Gate 194 includes a biasing mechanism 199, which is shown in FIG.15. As yet another example, gate 194 includes a ligating structuretool-receiving portion 195.

As another example, arcuate core 130 includes a rotation-directingstructure 150 in the form of a plurality of ribs 160. Ribs 160 arelocated, sized, and/or shaped to be directed by guiding surface 162 topermit restricted rotation of arcuate core 130 about the A-axis of FIG.14 and to restrict rotation of arcuate core 130 about the B-axis and/orthe C-axis.

As yet another example, rotating cam retention structure 260 of FIGS.14-17 includes an indicator 176, as illustrated in FIG. 17. Indicator176 is shaped to project from bracket body 110 when rotating camretention structure 260 is in disengaged configuration 174 and to bereceived within an indicator recess 182 when the rotating cam retentionstructure is in engaged configuration 172, as illustrated in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a less schematic view of another example of an orthodonticbracket assembly 100, according to the present disclosure, that includesa bracket body 110, an arcuate core 130, and a retention structure 170in the form of a rotating cam retention structure 260. FIG. 19 is a viewof a portion of the orthodontic bracket assembly of FIG. 18. FIG. 20 isa side view of a portion of the orthodontic bracket assembly of FIG. 18illustrating the rotating cam retention structure in an engagedconfiguration 172. FIG. 21 is a side view of a portion of theorthodontic bracket assembly of FIG. 18 illustrating the rotating camretention structure in a disengaged configuration 174. Rotating camretention structure 260 may be oriented at least substantially parallelto top 122 of bracket body 110 within assembly 100 and includes acore-contacting region 262, an actuation region 264, and a retentionregion 266.

In FIGS. 18-21, rotating cam retention structure 260 may be shaped tooperatively translate core-contacting region 262 between engagedconfiguration 172, as illustrated in FIG. 20, and disengagedconfiguration 174, as illustrated in FIG. 21, responsive to rotation ofactuation region 264. As an example, and as illustrated in FIGS. 20-21,core-contacting region 262 may be acentric with actuation region 264such that rotation of actuation region 264 produces translation ofcore-contacting region 262 relative to arcuate body 130, into contactwith arcuate body 130, out of contact with arcuate body 130, and/orbetween the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration.

FIG. 22 is a less schematic view of another example of an orthodonticbracket assembly 100, according to the present disclosure, that includesa bracket body 110, an arcuate core 130, and a retention structure 170in the form of a rotating cam retention structure 260. FIG. 23 is a viewof a portion of the orthodontic bracket assembly of FIG. 22. FIG. 24 isa cross-sectional side view of a portion of the orthodontic bracketassembly of FIG. 22 illustrating the rotating cam retention structure inan engaged configuration 172. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional side view ofa portion of the orthodontic bracket assembly of FIG. 22 illustratingthe rotating cam retention structure in a disengaged configuration 174.

Similar to rotating cam retention structures 260 of FIGS. 14-21,rotating cam retention structure 260 of FIGS. 22-25 includes an arcuatecore-contacting region 262 (labelled in FIGS. 23-25), an actuationregion 264, and a retention region 266 (labelled in FIGS. 22-23). InFIGS. 22-25, actuation region 264 may include and/or be a lever arm thatextends from rotating cam retention structure 260. In addition, arcuatecore-contacting region 262 may include and/or be a partial sphere thatis shaped to operatively engage arcuate core 130 when the rotating camis in the engaged configuration (as illustrated in FIG. 24) and toprovide clearance for rotation of the arcuate core relative to bracketbody 110 when the rotating cam is in the disengaged configuration (asillustrated in FIG. 25).

As perhaps illustrated most clearly in FIG. 23, assembly 100 of FIGS.22-25 also may include a rotation-directing structure 150.Rotation-directing structure 150 may include a partial ball 164 and asocket 166 that is shaped to receive the partial ball. Such arotation-directing structure 150 may permit limited rotation of arcuatecore 130 relative to bracket body 110 in any given direction when therotating cam retention structure is in the disengaged configuration andrestricting rotation of the arcuate core relative to the bracket bodywhen the rotating cam retention structure is in the engagedconfiguration. As an example, and when the rotating cam retentionstructure is in the engaged configuration of FIG. 24, the rotating camretention structure presses arcuate core 130 away from bracket body 110,thereby frictionally engaging ball 164 and socket 166 and restrictingrotation of the arcuate core relative to the bracket body. Conversely,and when the rotating cam retention structure is in the disengagedconfiguration of FIG. 25, the illustrated clearance between arcuatecore-contacting region 262 and arcuate core 130 decreases and/oreliminates the frictional engagement between ball 164 and socket 166,thereby permitting rotation of the arcuate core relative to the bracketbody.

FIGS. 5-25 illustrate bracket bodies 110 and/or arcuate cores 130 thatgenerally are formed from two symmetrical halves. While such aconstruction is not required of all embodiments, the symmetry of thehalves of bracket bodies 110 and/or of arcuate cores 130 may improvemanufacturability of the various components of assemblies 100, maydecrease manufacturing costs of assemblies 100, may provide for easierassembly of assemblies 100, and/or may simplify utilization ofassemblies 100 to provide selected and/or desired prescriptive forces toa tooth to which the orthodontic bracket assemblies may be operativelyaffixed.

As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and asecond entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity,and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listedwith “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one ormore” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally bepresent other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or”clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specificallyidentified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/orB,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as“comprising” may refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionallyincluding entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only(optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment,to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entitiesmay refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values,and the like.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of oneor more entities should be understood to mean at least one entityselected from any one or more of the entity in the list of entities, butnot necessarily including at least one of each and every entityspecifically listed within the list of entities and not excluding anycombinations of entities in the list of entities. This definition alsoallows that entities may optionally be present other than the entitiesspecifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase“at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those entitiesspecifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least oneof A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or,equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) may refer, in one embodiment,to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no Bpresent (and optionally including entities other than B); in anotherembodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, withno A present (and optionally including entities other than A); in yetanother embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one,A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (andoptionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases “atleast one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions thatare both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each ofthe expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, orC,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B,and/or C” may mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and Ctogether, B and C together, A, B and C together, and optionally any ofthe above in combination with at least one other entity.

In the event that any patents, patent applications, or other referencesare incorporated by reference herein and (1) define a term in a mannerthat is inconsistent with and/or (2) are otherwise inconsistent with,either the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure or any ofthe other incorporated references, the non-incorporated portion of thepresent disclosure shall control, and the term or incorporateddisclosure therein shall only control with respect to the reference inwhich the term is defined and/or the incorporated disclosure was presentoriginally.

As used herein the terms “adapted” and “configured” mean that theelement, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intendedto perform a given function. Thus, the use of the terms “adapted” and“configured” should not be construed to mean that a given element,component, or other subject matter is simply “capable of” performing agiven function but that the element, component, and/or other subjectmatter is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized,programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function.It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that elements,components, and/or other recited subject matter that is recited as beingadapted to perform a particular function may additionally oralternatively be described as being configured to perform that function,and vice versa.

As used herein, the phrase, “for example,” the phrase, “as an example,”and/or simply the term “example,” when used with reference to one ormore components, features, details, structures, and/or embodimentsaccording to the present disclosure, are intended to convey that thedescribed component, feature, detail, structure, and/or embodiment is anexample of components, features, details, structures, and/or embodimentsaccording to the present disclosure. Thus, the described component,feature, detail, structure, and/or embodiment is not intended to belimiting, required, or exclusive/exhaustive; and other components,features, details, structures, and/or embodiments, includingstructurally and/or functionally similar and/or equivalent components,features, details, structures, and/or embodiments, are also within thescope of the present disclosure.

Examples of adjustable-prescription orthodontic brackets according tothe present disclosure are presented in the following enumeratedparagraphs.

A1. An orthodontic bracket assembly, comprising:

a bracket body that defines an arcuate receptacle, wherein the bracketbody includes a base, which is configured to be proximal a tooth, and anopposed top, which is configured to be distal the tooth, and furtherwherein the arcuate receptacle extends toward the base from the top;

an arcuate core that is received within the arcuate receptacle and thatdefines an archwire slot sized to receive an archwire, wherein thearcuate receptacle is shaped to retain the arcuate core therein and topermit rotation of the arcuate core therein; and

a sliding retention structure that is configured to selectively retainthe arcuate core at a selected rotational orientation within the bracketbody, wherein the sliding retention structure is configured to beselectively translated between a disengaged configuration, in which thesliding retention structure permits rotation of the arcuate corerelative to the bracket body, and an engaged configuration, in which thesliding retention structure retains, and optionally frictionallyretains, the arcuate core at the selected rotational orientation, andfurther wherein the sliding retention structure extends at leastpartially between the bracket body and the arcuate core at least whenthe sliding retention structure is in the engaged configuration.

A2. The assembly of paragraph A1, wherein the sliding retentionstructure extends between the base and the arcuate core.

A3. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A2, wherein the slidingretention structure is spaced apart from the archwire slot.

A4. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A3, wherein the arcuate coreextends between the sliding retention structure and the archwire slot.

A5. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A4, wherein the slidingretention structure extends at least partially between the bracket bodyand the arcuate core when the sliding retention structure is in thedisengaged configuration.

A6. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A5, wherein the slidingretention structure is configured to translate within a slidingretention structure receptacle to transition between the engagedconfiguration and the disengaged configuration.

A7. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A6, wherein the slidingretention structure is configured to operatively engage the arcuate corewith the bracket body to retain the arcuate core at the selectedrotational orientation.

A8. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A7, wherein the slidingretention structure is configured to urge the arcuate core against thebracket body to retain the arcuate core at the selected rotationalorientation.

A9. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A8, wherein the slidingretention structure is configured to interlock the arcuate core with thebracket body to retain the arcuate core at the selected rotationalorientation.

A10. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A9, wherein the slidingretention structure includes a contact region configured to receive aportion of the arcuate core when the sliding retention structure is inthe engaged configuration.

A11. The assembly of paragraph A10, wherein the contact region includesa concave surface profile, optionally wherein a radius of the concavesurface profile corresponds to, or equals, a radius of the portion ofthe arcuate core that contacts the contact region.

A12. The assembly of any of paragraphs A10-A11, wherein the contactregion includes a hole in the sliding retention structure, wherein aradius of the hole is less than a/the radius of the portion of thearcuate core that is received within the hole such that the contactregion is a (substantially) circular, or arcuate, line contact about aperimeter of the hole.

A13. The assembly of any of paragraphs A10-A12, wherein the contactregion includes a friction-enhancing region configured to increase africtional force between the arcuate core and the sliding retentionstructure.

A14. The assembly of paragraph A13, wherein the friction-enhancingregion includes at least one of a roughened region, a resilientmaterial, a resilient gasket, and a resilient O-ring.

A15. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A14, wherein the assemblydefines a sliding retention structure receptacle that is configured toreceive the sliding retention structure.

A16. The assembly of paragraph A15, wherein the sliding retentionstructure includes a catch shaped to retain the sliding retentionstructure within the sliding retention structure receptacle of thebracket body.

A17. The assembly of any of paragraphs A15-A16, wherein the slidingretention structure receptacle is at least partially defined by at leastone, optionally at least two, and further optionally all of the bracketbody, the arcuate core, and the base.

A18. The assembly of any of paragraphs A15-A17, wherein, when thesliding retention structure is present within the sliding retentionstructure receptacle, the sliding retention structure is compressedbetween the arcuate core and one of the bracket body and the base toretain the arcuate core at the selected rotational orientation.

A19. The assembly of any of paragraphs A15-A18, wherein, when thesliding retention structure is present within the sliding retentionstructure receptacle, the sliding retention structure generates aninterference fit between the arcuate core and the bracket body.

A20. The assembly of any of paragraphs A15-A19, wherein, when thesliding retention structure is present within the sliding retentionstructure receptacle, the sliding retention structure generates aninterference fit between the sliding retention structure and the arcuatecore.

A21. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A20, wherein the slidingretention structure includes a sliding spring.

A22. The assembly of paragraph A21, wherein the sliding spring includesat least one of a sliding clip, a sliding torsion spring, and a slidingflat spring.

A23. The assembly of any of paragraphs A21-A22, wherein the slidingspring has an arcuate shape.

A24. The assembly of any of paragraphs A21-A23, wherein the slidingspring has a relief region shaped to provide clearance for rotation ofthe arcuate core when the sliding spring is in the disengagedconfiguration.

A25. The assembly of paragraph A24, wherein the bracket body includes adetent shaped to receive the relief region when the sliding spring is inthe disengaged configuration.

A26. The assembly of paragraph A25, wherein the relief region and thedetent together are shaped to bias the sliding spring toward thedisengaged configuration when the relief region is received within thedetent.

A27. The assembly of any of paragraphs A25-A26, wherein the slidingspring is biased to automatically transition to the engagedconfiguration when the relief region is urged from the detent.

A28. The assembly of any of paragraphs A21-A27, wherein the slidingspring is biased to remain in the engaged configuration unless urgedfrom the engaged configuration.

A29. The assembly of any of paragraphs A21-A28, wherein the slidingspring includes a bias region that is shaped to retain the slidingspring in the engaged configuration unless urged from the engagedconfiguration.

A30. The assembly of paragraph A29, wherein the bracket body includes atransition structure, wherein the transition structure and the biasregion together are shaped to bias the sliding spring toward the engagedconfiguration.

A31. The assembly of any of paragraphs A21-A30, wherein the slidingspring is configured to deform upon transitioning between the engagedconfiguration and the disengaged configuration, optionally wherein thesliding spring includes a deformation region configured to deform upontransitioning between the engaged configuration and the disengagedconfiguration.

A32. The assembly of any of paragraphs A21-A31, wherein the slidingspring is a metallic sliding spring, optionally wherein the slidingspring is formed from a nickel-titanium alloy.

A33. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A32, wherein the slidingretention structure includes a sliding wedge.

B1. An orthodontic bracket assembly, comprising:

a bracket body that defines an arcuate receptacle, wherein the bracketbody includes a base, which is configured to be proximal a tooth, and anopposed top, which is configured to be distal the tooth, and furtherwherein the arcuate receptacle extends toward the base from the top;

an arcuate core that is received within the arcuate receptacle and thatdefines an archwire slot sized to receive an archwire, wherein thearcuate receptacle is shaped to retain the arcuate core therein and topermit rotation of the arcuate core therein; and

a rotating cam retention structure that is configured to selectivelyretain the arcuate core at a selected rotational orientation relative tothe bracket body, wherein the rotating cam retention structure isconfigured to be selectively rotated between a disengaged configuration,in which the rotating cam retention structure permits rotation of thearcuate core relative to the bracket body, and an engaged configuration,in which the rotating cam retention structure retains, and optionallyfrictionally retains, the arcuate core at the selected rotationalorientation.

B2. The assembly of paragraph B1, wherein the rotating cam retentionstructure includes:

-   -   (i) an arcuate core-contacting region configured to selectively        contact the arcuate core when the rotating cam retention        structure is in the engaged configuration;    -   (ii) an actuation region configured to receive an external force        and to transition the rotating cam retention structure between        the disengaged configuration and the engaged configuration        responsive to receipt of the external force; and    -   (iii) a retention region shaped to be received within a        retention region receptacle that is defined by the bracket body,        to retain the rotating cam retention structure within the        orthodontic bracket assembly, and to permit rotation of the        rotating cam retention structure when the rotating cam retention        structure is transitioned between the engaged configuration and        the disengaged configuration.

B3. The assembly of paragraph B2, wherein the arcuate core-contactingregion includes a lobe.

B4. The assembly of any of paragraphs B2-B3, wherein the arcuatecore-contacting region includes a cam.

B5. The assembly of any of paragraphs B2-B4, wherein the actuationregion includes a tool receptacle configured to receive an actuationtool, wherein the tool is configured to apply the external force.

B6. The assembly of any of paragraphs B2-B5, wherein the actuationregion includes a lever arm.

B7. The assembly of any of paragraphs B2-B6, wherein the retentionregion includes a (substantially) cylindrical bearing surface.

C1. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-B7, wherein the arcuatereceptacle has a shape that corresponds to a shape of a portion of thearcuate core that contacts the bracket body.

C2. The assembly of paragraph C1, wherein the portion of the arcuatecore defines a partial cylinder.

C3. The assembly of paragraph C1, wherein the portion of the arcuatecore defines a partial sphere.

C4. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-C3, wherein the base isconfigured to be operatively affixed to a tooth.

C5. The assembly of paragraph C4, wherein a remainder of the bracketbody is at least one of adhered, melted, welded, and brazed to the base.

C6. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-05, wherein the assemblyfurther includes a ligating structure that is operatively affixed to thearcuate core and configured to selectively retain an archwire within thearchwire slot, optionally wherein the orthodontic bracket assembly is aself-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly.

C7. The assembly of paragraph C6, wherein the ligating structure definesa closed configuration, in which the ligating structure retains thearchwire within the archwire slot, and an open configuration, in whichthe ligating structure does not retain the archwire within the archwireslot.

C8. The assembly of paragraph C7, wherein the assembly further includesa ligating structure receptacle that is configured to receive theligating structure.

C9. The assembly of paragraph C8, wherein the ligating structure isconfigured to translate within the ligating structure receptacle totransition between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

C10. The assembly of any of paragraphs C6-C9, wherein the ligatingstructure is an active ligating structure, optionally wherein the activeligating structure includes a biasing mechanism that is configured toprovide a compressive force to the archwire.

C11. The assembly of any of paragraphs C6-C9, wherein the ligatingstructure is a passive ligating structure.

C12. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-C11, wherein the assemblyfurther includes a ligature-receiving structure configured to receive aligature.

C13. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-C12, wherein the assemblyincludes a rotation-directing structure configured to permit rotation ofthe arcuate core about a rotational axis and to limit rotation of thearcuate core about another axis that is different from the rotationalaxis.

C14. The assembly of paragraph C13, wherein the rotational axis extendsat least substantially in one of a gingival-occlusal direction, amesial-distal direction, a buccal-lingual direction, and alabial-lingual direction.

C15. The assembly of any of paragraphs C13-C14, wherein therotation-directing structure includes a groove and a post that isconfigured to translate within the groove.

C16. The assembly of paragraph C15, wherein one of the groove and thepost is defined by the arcuate core.

C17. The assembly of paragraph C16, wherein the other of the groove andthe post is defined by one of the bracket body and the base.

C18. The assembly of any of paragraphs C13-C17, wherein therotation-directing structure includes a hole and a stem that isconfigured to rotate within the hole.

C19. The assembly of paragraph C18, wherein one of the hole and the stemis defined by the arcuate core.

C20. The assembly of paragraph C19, wherein the other of the hole andthe stem is defined by one of the bracket body and the base.

C21. The assembly of any of paragraphs C13-C20, wherein therotation-directing structure includes a rib that projects from thearcuate core.

C22. The assembly of any of paragraphs C13-C21, wherein therotation-directing structure is a first rotation-directing structure,wherein the rotational axis is a first rotational axis, and furtherwherein the assembly includes a second rotation-directing structure thatis configured to permit rotation of the arcuate core about a secondrotational axis.

C23. The assembly of paragraph C22, wherein the second rotational axisis different from the first rotational axis.

C24. The assembly of any of paragraphs C22-C23, wherein the secondrotational axis is at least substantially perpendicular to the firstrotational axis.

C25. The assembly of paragraph A24, wherein the arcuate core includes afirst core section and a second core section, and further wherein thesecond rotation-directing structure is at least partially defined by thefirst core section and by the second core section.

C26. The assembly of paragraph C25, wherein the rotation-directingstructure is configured to permit rotation of the first core sectionrelative to the second core section.

C27. The assembly of any of paragraphs C22-C26, wherein the retentionstructure is a first retention structure, wherein the selectedrotational orientation is a first selected rotational orientation, andfurther wherein the assembly further includes a second retentionstructure configured to selectively retain the arcuate core at a secondselected rotational orientation about the second rotational axis.

C28. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-C27, wherein the arcuate coredefines an arcuate core recess configured to receive an arcuate coreadjustment tool that is configured to rotate the arcuate core to theselected rotational orientation.

C29. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-C28, wherein the bracket bodyis a monolithic structure.

C30. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-C29, wherein the bracket bodyincludes a first bracket section and a second bracket section, whereinthe first bracket section and the second bracket section are operativelyaffixed to one another, optionally wherein the first bracket section andthe second bracket section together define the base, and furtheroptionally wherein the first bracket section and the second bracketsection are operatively affixed to a base section that defines the base.

C31. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-C30, wherein at least one, andoptionally both, of the bracket body and the arcuate core includes afriction-enhancing region configured to increase a frictional forcebetween the bracket body and the arcuate core when the retentionstructure is in the engaged configuration.

C32. The assembly of paragraph C31, wherein the friction-enhancingregion includes at least one of a roughened region, a high-frictionregion, and a resilient material.

C33. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-C32, wherein the retentionstructure includes an indicator that projects from the bracket body whenthe retention structure is in the disengaged configuration, wherein thebracket body defines an indicator recess, and further wherein theindicator is located within the indicator recess when the retentionstructure is in the engaged configuration.

C34. The assembly of any of paragraphs A1-C33, wherein the retentionstructure defines a projecting portion, which is shaped to be receivedwithin a/the retention structure receptacle, and a tool-receivingportion, which is shaped to receive a tool.

C35. The assembly of paragraph C34, wherein the tool is configured to bereceived within the tool-receiving portion to transition the retentionstructure between the engaged configuration and the disengagedconfiguration.

C36. The assembly of paragraph C35, wherein the tool is configured to betranslated to transition the retention structure between the engagedconfiguration and the disengaged configuration.

C37. The assembly of any of paragraphs C34-C35, wherein the tool isconfigured to be rotated to transition the retention structure betweenthe engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration.

C38. The assembly of any of paragraphs C34-C37, wherein the assemblyfurther defines an assembly tool-engaging portion that is configured tooperatively engage the tool when the retention structure is transitionedbetween the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration,optionally wherein the assembly tool-engaging portion is defined by atleast one of the base, the bracket body, and the arcuate core.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The assemblies disclosed herein are applicable to the dental andorthodontics industries.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multipledistinct inventions with independent utility. While each of theseinventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specificembodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to beconsidered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. Thesubject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obviouscombinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features,functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where theclaims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, suchclaims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more suchelements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certaincombinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of thedisclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodiedin other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions,elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of thepresent claims or presentation of new claims in this or a relatedapplication. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to adifferent invention or directed to the same invention, whetherdifferent, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims,are also regarded as included within the subject matter of theinventions of the present disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An orthodontic bracket assembly,comprising: a bracket body that defines an arcuate receptacle, whereinthe bracket body includes a base, which is configured to be proximal atooth, and an opposed top, which is configured to be distal the tooth,and further wherein the arcuate receptacle extends toward the base fromthe top; an arcuate core that is received within the arcuate receptacleand that defines an archwire slot sized to receive an archwire, whereinthe arcuate receptacle is shaped to retain the arcuate core therein andto permit rotation of the arcuate core therein; and a sliding retentionstructure that is configured to selectively retain the arcuate core at aselected rotational orientation within the bracket body, wherein thesliding retention structure is configured to be selectively translatedbetween a disengaged configuration, in which the sliding retentionstructure permits rotation of the arcuate core relative to the bracketbody, and an engaged configuration, in which the sliding retentionstructure retains the arcuate core at the selected rotationalorientation, and further wherein the sliding retention structure extendsat least partially between the bracket body and the arcuate core atleast when the sliding retention structure is in the engagedconfiguration.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sliding retentionstructure extends between the base and the arcuate core.
 3. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein the sliding retention structure is spaced apart fromthe archwire slot.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the slidingretention structure includes a contact region configured to receive aportion of the arcuate core when the sliding retention structure is inthe engaged configuration.
 5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein thecontact region includes a concave surface profile.
 6. The assembly ofclaim 4, wherein the contact region includes a hole in the slidingretention structure, wherein a radius of the hole is less than a radiusof the portion of the arcuate core that is received within the hole. 7.The assembly of claim 4, wherein the contact region includes afriction-enhancing region configured to increase a frictional forcebetween the arcuate core and the sliding retention structure.
 8. Theassembly of claim 7, wherein the friction-enhancing region includes atleast one of a roughened region, a resilient material, a resilientgasket, and a resilient O-ring.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein theassembly defines a sliding retention structure receptacle that isconfigured to receive the sliding retention structure.
 10. The assemblyof claim 9, wherein the sliding retention structure includes a catchshaped to retain the sliding retention structure within the slidingretention structure receptacle of the bracket body.
 11. The assembly ofclaim 9, wherein, when the sliding retention structure is present withinthe sliding retention structure receptacle, the sliding retentionstructure is compressed between the arcuate core and one of the bracketbody and the base to retain the arcuate core at the selected rotationalorientation.
 12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sliding retentionstructure includes a sliding spring.
 13. The assembly of claim 12,wherein the sliding spring has a relief region shaped to provideclearance for rotation of the arcuate core when the sliding spring is inthe disengaged configuration.
 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein thebracket body includes a detent shaped to receive the relief region whenthe sliding spring is in the disengaged configuration.
 15. The assemblyof claim 14, wherein the relief region and the detent together areshaped to bias the sliding spring toward the disengaged configurationwhen the relief region is received within the detent.
 16. The assemblyof claim 14, wherein the sliding spring is biased to automaticallytransition to the engaged configuration when the relief region is urgedfrom the detent.
 17. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the slidingspring is biased to remain in the engaged configuration unless urgedfrom the engaged configuration.
 18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein thesliding retention structure includes a sliding wedge.
 19. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein the assembly includes a rotation-directing structureconfigured to permit rotation of the arcuate core about a rotationalaxis and to limit rotation of the arcuate core about another axis thatis different from the rotational axis.
 20. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the sliding retention structure includes an indicator thatprojects from the bracket body when the sliding retention structure isin the disengaged configuration, wherein the bracket body defines anindicator recess, and further wherein the indicator is located withinthe indicator recess when the sliding retention structure is in theengaged configuration.
 21. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the slidingretention structure frictionally retains the arcuate core at theselected rotational orientation.
 22. An orthodontic bracket assembly,comprising: a bracket body that defines an arcuate receptacle, whereinthe bracket body includes a base, which is configured to be proximal atooth, and an opposed top, which is configured to be distal the tooth,and further wherein the arcuate receptacle extends toward the base fromthe top; an arcuate core that is received within the arcuate receptacleand that defines an archwire slot sized to receive an archwire, whereinthe arcuate receptacle is shaped to retain the arcuate core therein andto permit rotation of the arcuate core therein; and a rotating camretention structure that is configured to selectively retain the arcuatecore at a selected rotational orientation relative to the bracket body,wherein the rotating cam retention structure is configured to beselectively rotated between a disengaged configuration, in which therotating cam retention structure permits rotation of the arcuate corerelative to the bracket body, and an engaged configuration, in which therotating cam retention structure retains the arcuate core at theselected rotational orientation, and further wherein the rotating camretention structure includes: (i) an arcuate core-contacting regionconfigured to selectively contact the arcuate core to retain the arcuatecore at the selected rotational orientation when the rotating camretention structure is in the engaged configuration; (ii) an actuationregion configured to receive an external force and to transition therotating cam retention structure between the disengaged configurationand the engaged configuration responsive to receipt of the externalforce; and (iii) a retention region rotationally received within aretention region receptacle defined by the bracket body to retain atleast the retention region of the rotating cam retention structurewithin the retention region receptacle when the rotating cam retentionstructure is in both the disengaged configuration and the engagedconfiguration, and to permit rotation of the rotating cam retentionstructure relative to the bracket body when the rotating cam retentionstructure is transitioned between the engaged configuration and thedisengaged configuration.
 23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein thearcuate core-contacting region includes a lobe.
 24. The assembly ofclaim 22, wherein the actuation region includes a tool receptacleconfigured to receive an actuation tool, wherein the tool is configuredto apply the external force.
 25. The assembly of claim 22, wherein theactuation region includes a lever arm.
 26. The assembly of claim 22,wherein the assembly includes a rotation-directing structure configuredto permit rotation of the arcuate core about a rotational axis and tolimit rotation of the arcuate core about another axis that is differentfrom the rotational axis.
 27. The assembly of claim 22, wherein therotating cam retention structure includes an indicator that projectsfrom the bracket body when the rotating cam retention structure is inthe disengaged configuration, wherein the bracket body defines anindicator recess, and further wherein the indicator is located withinthe indicator recess when the rotating cam retention structure is in theengaged configuration.
 28. The assembly of claim 22, wherein thearchwire slot defines a longitudinal axis and includes an opening thatextends parallel to the longitudinal axis and is sized to permit anarchwire to be selectively inserted into and removed from the archwireslot through the opening, and further wherein in both the disengagedconfiguration and the engaged configuration, the rotating cam retentionstructure does not obstruct the opening of the archwire slot.
 29. Anorthodontic bracket assembly, comprising: a bracket body that defines anarcuate receptacle, wherein the bracket body includes a base, which isconfigured to be proximal a tooth, and an opposed top, which isconfigured to be distal the tooth, and further wherein the arcuatereceptacle extends toward the base from the top; an arcuate core that isreceived within the arcuate receptacle and that defines an archwire slotsized to receive an archwire, wherein the arcuate receptacle is shapedto retain the arcuate core therein and to permit rotation of the arcuatecore therein; and a retention structure that is configured toselectively retain the arcuate core at a selected rotational orientationwithin the bracket body, wherein the retention structure is configuredto be selectively transitioned between a disengaged configuration, inwhich the retention structure permits rotation of the arcuate corerelative to the bracket body, and an engaged configuration, in which theretention structure retains the arcuate core at the selected rotationalorientation; wherein the retention structure extends at least partiallybetween the base and the arcuate core when the retention structure is inthe engaged configuration and when the retention structure is in thedisengaged configuration; wherein the retention structure is spacedapart from the archwire slot; and further wherein the retentionstructure does not obstruct the archwire slot in both the disengagedconfiguration and the engaged configuration.
 30. The assembly of claim29, wherein the retention structure includes a contact region configuredto receive a portion of the arcuate core when the retention structure isin the engaged configuration.
 31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein thecontact region includes a friction-enhancing region configured toincrease a frictional force between the arcuate core and the retentionstructure, and further wherein the friction-enhancing region includes atleast one of a roughened region, a resilient material, a resilientgasket, and a resilient O-ring.
 32. The assembly of claim 29, whereinthe contact region includes a concave surface profile.
 33. The assemblyof claim 29, wherein the contact region includes a hole in the retentionstructure, wherein a radius of the hole is less than a radius of theportion of the arcuate core that is received within the hole.
 34. Theassembly of claim 29, wherein the assembly defines a retention structurereceptacle that is configured to receive the retention structure. 35.The assembly of claim 34, wherein the retention structure includes acatch shaped to retain the retention structure within the retentionstructure receptacle of the bracket body.
 36. The assembly of claim 34,wherein, when the retention structure is present within the retentionstructure receptacle, the retention structure is compressed between thearcuate core and the bracket body to retain the arcuate core at theselected rotational orientation.
 37. The assembly of claim 29, whereinthe retention structure includes a spring that is resiliently deformedas the retention structure is transitioned between the engagedconfiguration and the disengaged configuration.
 38. The assembly ofclaim 37, wherein the spring has a relief region shaped to provideclearance for rotation of the arcuate core when the spring is in thedisengaged configuration; and further wherein the bracket body includesa detent shaped to receive the relief region when the spring is in thedisengaged configuration.
 39. The assembly of claim 38, wherein therelief region and the detent together are shaped to bias the springtoward the disengaged configuration when the relief region is receivedwithin the detent.
 40. The assembly of claim 38, wherein the spring isbiased to automatically transition to the engaged configuration when therelief region is urged from the detent.
 41. The assembly of claim 37,wherein the spring is biased to remain in the engaged configurationunless urged from the engaged configuration.
 42. The assembly of claim29, wherein the retention structure includes a wedge that is configuredto selectively engage the arcuate core to retain the arcuate core in theselected rotational configuration.
 43. The assembly of claim 29, whereinthe assembly includes a rotation-directing structure configured topermit rotation of the arcuate core about a rotational axis and to limitrotation of the arcuate core about another axis that is different fromthe rotational axis.
 44. The assembly of claim 29, wherein the retentionstructure includes an indicator that projects from the bracket body whenthe retention structure is in the disengaged configuration, wherein thebracket body defines an indicator recess, and further wherein theindicator is located within the indicator recess when the retentionstructure is in the engaged configuration.
 45. The assembly of claim 29,wherein the retention structure frictionally retains the arcuate core atthe selected rotational orientation.
 46. The assembly of claim 29,wherein when transitioning between the disengaged configuration and theengaged configuration, the retention structure is configured to movealong at least one of a linear and an arcuate path.